Richard's side

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

Roger Sinot

PINSAO PROPER, Baguio City -- The launching of the Ibaloy festival was indeed wholesome and done in an integral manner. It was held last Monday morning, January 20, 2014 at the City Multi-purpose Hall. The press conference highlighted the activities of the festival from day one to the final day which will be February 23, 2014.

          I salute two Ibaloy councillors, Hon. Isabelo "Poppo" Cosalan and Hon. Peter Fianza when they called for all Ibaloys of Baguio and Benguet and anywhere to unite and be part of this Ibaloy Festivity.

           Quoting from Facebook, the articles of Incorporation of the Onjon ni Ibaloy Association--> the purpose or purposes for which such association was incorporated are:

1) To unite the Ibaloy tribe of Baguio and Benguet, where ever they are domiciled or residing; to perpetuate the cultural customs, traditions and language of their Ibaloy ancestors.

2) To educate the younger members of the Association regarding the history of the Ibaloys as well as their customs, traditions, and language.

3) To foster love, fellowship, and cooperation among members of the Association as well as non-member Ibaloys in their communities.

4) To provide mutual  assistance  to the sick, elderly, and indigent fellow Ibaloys- noting that these purposes are emphasized in the five day festival.

As much as possible, the other speakers and Onjon Officers refrain from commenting on the topic of the day which is the CALT of an Ibaloy family over the Casa Vallejo. Any which way, let us all join the Ibaloy festival. It is the time to meet Ibaloys from all walks of life, from all over the world. "Be a part of 2014 Ibaloy Day Festival. Today's event is tomorrows history, let us be a part of it".

 For the officers and members of the Onjon, I suggest additional objectives that could be incorporated under the association’s purposes; 1) To eradicate extreme poverty and hunger among the Ibaloy community. 2) To develop global partnerships for development at the same time ensure environmental sustainability. 3) To guard the basic human natural rights of its members, and lastly, 4) To preserve and protect the Ibaloy ancestral lands.

 Richard “Ray” Acop, representative of the Heir's of Cosen Pirazo, is my age mate neighbor, classmate, and nephew. We grew up together in Pinsao Proper. Their maternal house is at the Lime stone Crusher, and ours is at Kalsada. Now, these are two sitios of Pinsao Proper Barangay. I salute him for having a CALT over their claim while ours have been shelved at the NCIP-Baguio for millions of reasons.

Sec.8 (a) of IPRA Law pursuant to Republic Act No. 8371 states that an indigenous Filipino has the right to transfer land or property rights to or among members of the same indigenous cultural community of indigenous people subject to customary laws and traditions of the community concerned. "If your intention is to sell your CALTs, give me a call. I can manage it for you even. Ray, kaanakan, as far as my memory reaches, you are still my kaanakan."

 Let us be reminded that Section 63 of IPRA Law also states that any doubt or ambiguity in the application and interpretation of Laws, shall be resolved in favour of the ICC/IPs. It is a native (Naked) title.

 In my conclusion, as one says, "Your conclusion is as good as your opinion," I would like to quote from a neighbour Ibaloy cousin columnist, March Fianza, when he said, "an unsolicited proposal is for the present occupants (Roebling Hotels Inc.) to hold a dialogue with the ancestral claimants…" if the objective of the occupants is really to preserve the “historical” Vallejo building.

 Let us not put the blame on the agencies concerned, but the people in it. Happy Trails to one and all.